BERSATU will only accept defecting lawmakers who have passed a stringent vetting process and pledge not to run for any party or government post, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad attempting to allay fears of an Umno takeover of his party.

Dr Mahathir, who is Bersatu and Pakatan Harapan chairman, said any newcomer must also first serve as an independent after leaving Umno, during which time he will show his support for Pakatan Harapan.

“They have given their undertaking they will not try to get any position in the party. They will not hold any position nor will they be future candidates in elections. Those are the conditions,” the 93-year-old told The Malaysian Insight.

“The application will only be considered after we have observed their behaviour. They can join Bersatu but they cannot hold any position.

“And if at all they contest, it will not be the current position. They will come in as members.”

Dr Mahathir acknowledged that his fellow PH leaders have expressed apprehension over the possibility of several former Umno MPs joining Bersatu, but assured them that he, too, was “concerned”.

He said accepting some of the defectors would help shore up Malay support for PH.

“As you know, in the last elections, quite a lot of Malays supported Umno. So, Umno was still popular to the Malays.

“Those Malays must be brought out because if they support Bersatu, we will become strong and Pakatan will be strong.”

Although PH managed to take over Putrajaya with about 48% of the popular vote, it only managed to garner around 25% of the Malay vote compared with Barisan Nasional (45%) and Islamist party PAS (25%).

Below are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Why is Bersatu accepting Umno MPs?

Dr Mahathir: You cannot condemn all Umno members because of the mistakes of their leaders. Some are committed while others are not. These people are followers. Leaders, we are not keen to take.

Some of the followers have followed but did not formulate some of the policies… They are ordinary followers but were chosen to contest and won.

Now, they feel they have seen the accusations against (former prime minister) Najib (Razak) and they felt that Umno is no longer the party it was, struggling for the principles Umno was formed on.

So, they want to come out but they are still interested to remain in politics. Some of them have met me and gave their undertaking that they want to join Bersatu but they will not try to get any position in the party. They will not hold any position nor will they be future candidates in the elections. Those are the conditions.

The conditions we gave them (were) that they must leave Umno and be independent for a time and during that time, they must show that they are supportive of the Pakatan government before they can apply.

The application will only be considered after we have observed their behaviour. They can join Bersatu but they cannot hold any position. And if at all they contest, it will not be the current position.

They will come in as members. These people have a following. As you know, in the last elections, quite a lot of Malays supported Umno. So, Umno was still popular for Malays. Those Malays must be brought out because if they support Bersatu, we will become strong and Pakatan will be strong.

That is our position. We are not taking certain leaders, two or three names I have mentioned. No way those leaders can come in, as there are cases against them and they will have to face the courts.

We are only accepting those who have not been implicated and who have not shown strong support for Najib or cursing Pakatan or me.

They are not coming in freely but they have to be scrutinised and to see if they qualify.

Q: Will they bring the rot into Bersatu?

Dr Mahathir: Leaders will not come, only the followers. These people know that the leadership of Bersatu is not easily influenced. Although the Bersatu leaders came from Umno, they have their own minds and will not be easily influenced.

Q: Have Pakatan’s components voiced their concerns over this?

Dr Mahathir: Yes, they are concerned. We are concerned, too.

We don’t want to give the impression that Umno is taking over Bersatu or any other party in Pakatan. But we are very serious about vetting these people.

They are still influential in the villages. If we reject them, we may be rejecting voters. They can bring in some voters and it will strengthen Bersatu and Pakatan, too.

Q: Is this part of Pakatan’s strategy to gain the two-thirds it needs to do some of the reforms that require constitutional amendments?

Dr Mahathir: Personally, I don’t like the two-thirds majority as I want a strong opposition. But as you can see, the opposition is totally shattered. Everything has broken down where MIC and MCA are not functioning.

The whole of Umno has split into so many parts. Some want to remain in Umno, some want to come out while some want to give up politics (altogether).

(There is) no opposition that is credible at this moment. Even when I was head of BN, I used to say that we need an opposition. Without an opposition, it is like having no mirror to look at yourself. And you would think you are very beautiful but then you are very ugly.

Q: Nazri Aziz says that he is negotiating with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim because he can’t do so with you. Are you concerned with this Umno power play to curry favour with you and Anwar?

Dr Mahathir: It is up to them. If they want to see me, I see them. If they want to see Anwar, they can see Anwar. They can see anybody as this government does not prevent you from talking.

During Najib’s time, if anybody sees me, they get punished. Even the private sector cannot see me and all my friends had to run away from me. If they see me, the income tax department goes after them. It has all happened before.

So for a time, I had no friends or money as these people were scared to give me money.

In this government, we didn’t stop anyone who wanted to see Najib. And similarly, anyone wants to see Anwar or (Lim) Kit Siang, it’s their business. – December 19, 2018.